The Old Man's Trail: A Novel about the Vietcong

Tom Campbell's book is extremely well written. The narrative unfolds quickly, bringing the reader into the mysterious maze of the Viet Cong supply route that belied the powerful bombing capacities of the U.S. military. It is written from the eyes of the teenagers conscripted into military duty, beginning with their grueling boot camp and their seasoned drill instructor. Scenes of the trail are spendidly presented, and readers will find themselved caught up in the suspense of the outcome. The book is an amazingly keen observer of minute details and larger conflictual perspectives. It is not overly sympathetic to either side, but quite human in presenting the nitty-gritty daily decisions soldiers from both sides were forced to make. You will find this book disturbing and stimulating. A high recommendation.